Marc Forgione Reigns Supreme as ‘The Next Iron Chef’

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New York Chef Clinches Ultimate Culinary Title – First Battle Premieres November 28th

NEW YORK – November 22, 2010 – Food Network’s search for The Next Iron Chef came to a thrilling and rewarding end as renowned New York chef Marc Forgione was crowned winner during last night’s season three finale. After eight weeks of intense culinary competition, Forgione went up against fellow New York chef Marco Canora in the Thanksgiving-themed finale showdown and was selected as the winner by existing Iron Chefs Bobby Flay, Masaharu Morimoto, Michael Symon as well as Donatella Arpaia (restaurateur and cookbook author), and Simon Mujumdar (food writer and broadcaster) who served as judges throughout the series. Forgione enters Kitchen Stadium for his first battle as an Iron Chef against Chef R.J. Cooper (of Rogue in Washington, D.C.) on Sunday, November 28th at 10pm ET/PT.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Marc Forgione to our legendary team of Iron Chefs and can’t wait to see the unique flair he brings to Kitchen Stadium,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Programming & Production, Food Network. “His in-depth knowledge of American cuisine, culinary precision and calm focus in the kitchen will certainly add a new layer to the Chairman’s stellar group.”

Forgione (Chef & Owner of Marc Forgione in New York), son of Larry Forgione, the “godfather of New American cuisine,” began his career at age 16 working in his father’s St. Louis restaurant. After earning a hotel restaurant degree, Forgione left for France where he worked in prestigious restaurants and learned from numerous notable chefs. In 2008, Forgione opened New York’s Forge (now known as Marc Forgione), and he has created a signature straightforward American style with bold flavors and playful touches he calls the “melting pot cuisine.” Forgione was most recently coveted with his second Michelin star in the 2011 guide, making him the youngest American-born chef and owner to receive the honor in consecutive years (2010, 2011). In addition, Forgione received a two-star review in The New York Times in October 2010. He has also received recognitions from Forbes, Esquire, Restaurant and Hospitality Magazine, The Zagat Guide and was named “Rising Star of the Year” by Star Chefs.

The Next Iron Chef, which premiered October 3rd, returned for it’s third season to find a new culinary warrior for Kitchen Stadium. Hosted by Alton Brown (Good Eats, Iron Chef America), the reality competition challenged 10 of the country’s best chefs in a series of demanding situations, from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to New York, to compete in the food fight of their professional lives. The Next Iron Chef is produced by Triage Entertainment.